This specification provides a concise summary of
the main features of all BSc/BA Honours programmes at WrittleCollege, with learning outcomes
that a typical student might reasonably expect to achieve and demonstrate if
he/she takes full advantage of learning opportunities that are provided. The
course aims to:

·Impart
an understanding of the broad principles underpinning general agricultural
production, monitoring and commercial viability.

·Give
students an opportunity to specialise in crop or livestock production.

·Educate
agricultural practitioners who will be flexible, innovative and creative in
the commercial management of land and related resources.

·In
the context of land-based industries, provide students with a set of key
skills suited to a wide range of employment opportunities.

·Instil
considerations of environmental impact and sustainability into all facets of
agricultural practice.

·Produce
students capable of critical thinking and who can analyse complex
agricultural operations and suggest improvements and changes leading to
commercial success.

10 Programme outcomes:

The programme will
provide opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and
understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:

2.The
principles and methodologies of land evaluation pertaining to selection of
appropriate crops and livestock, levels of inputs or other land uses.

3.The
diversity of agricultural systems and the development of such systems.

4.Environmental
implications of practices associated with agriculture in relation to local,
national and global impact, and issues of waste management and
sustainability.

5.Management
and business practices relevant to efficient and profitable agricultural
operations.

6.Selected
key technologies, identified as important to the future success of
agricultural operations.

7.Relevant
methodologies to evaluate land quality and crop/livestock suitability and to
experiment with alternative land uses.

8.The
responsibility of land managers as a custodian of the countryside.

►

Teaching/learning methods and strategies:

The acquisition of knowledge and understanding is
approached through an emphasis on student-based learning. Integration of
theoretical and practical learning ensures the strong vocational focus as a
priority in the provision. Acquisition and development of outcomes 3-7 are
through key lectures, practical sessions and fieldwork and tutorials. The
balance of lectures and group work shifts towards a greater emphasis on
independent learning methodologies at the higher levels.

Investigative strategies are contextualised
within discipline fields and increasing exposure to real-life scenarios and
problems culminating in the Level 4 dissertation.

Assessment:

Knowledge and understanding is assessed mainly
via examination and coursework.

Understanding is also evaluated through
presentations and class discussions.

Skill and Other
Attributes

B Intellectual skills –
able to:

1.Analyse
and solve problems.

2.Be
creative in the solution to problems

3.Assemble
data from a variety of sources, and discern and establish connections.

4.Apply
discipline principles, theories and methods to investigation of field and
workplace themes.

5.Plan,
conduct and report an individual investigative programme.

6.Challenge
received conclusions about topics and controversies.

►

Teaching/learning
methods and strategies:

Intellectual
skills are developed through practical project work, tutorial, seminar and
course work.

Open-ended practical and project work is designed
to permit students to demonstrate achievement of all of the learning outcomes
in this category.

Individual feedback is given to students on all
work produced.

Assessment:

Cognitive skills are assessed by coursework and
examination. The higher level examinations provide students with an
opportunity to demonstrate their ability to structure a clear, concise
reasoned argument and analyse an issue in a limited time period.

C
Practical skills – able to:

1.Plan
and execute safely a series of procedures.

2.To
visually assess the condition or worth of crops and animals associated with
agriculture.

3.Use,
workshop or field equipment to generate data or achieve outcomes.

4.Retrieve,
sift and select information from a variety of sources.

5.Prepare
technical reports.

6.Give
presentations in appropriate format for a variety of audiences.

7.Use
IT in a variety of situations to support the processes of learning,
manipulate data and present information.

►

Teaching/learning methods
and strategies:

Subject practical skills are developed in a co-ordinated and
progressive pattern throughout the four levels of the programme. In levels 1
and 2 attention is focused on the acquisition of basic skills and safe
working practices through prescribed exercises. At higher levels of studies
more advanced techniques and open-ended exercises are introduced. The
integration of science and business management is an important aspect of
practical work.

Assessment:

A
variety of assessment methods are used to assess practical skills. These
include inspection of work, reports, presentations, notebooks and attendance
at viva voce. The use of IT is pervasive in all assessments.

D Transferable/key skills
– able to:

1.Communicate
effectively using a variety of means and to a range of audiences.

2.Apply
numerical and statistical skills as appropriate

3.Manage
time and resources, organise study pattern and work to deadlines.

4.Participate
constructively in teams and groups, showing tolerance and acceptance of
others’ points of view.

5.Demonstrate
capacity to learn independently in familiar and unfamiliar situations with
open-mindedness and in the spirit of critical enquiry.

6.Find
information from a variety of sources and use IT.

7.Understand
career opportunities and challenges ahead and begin to plan a career path.

►

Teaching/learning methods and strategies:

Promotion of key skills begins with a compulsory
‘Learning Methods for Undergraduates at Level 1. From that point, in all
programmes, the skills are delivered and developed as an integrated component
of modules. The delivery is mapped across each programme. Individual tutor
support is also provided.

Assessment:

Effective communication of ideas is an important
criterion in assessing all areas of a learner’s work. Regular feed back and
final grading reflect the students’ transferable skills. All students
develop their skills in IT across the levels and these skills form part of
the criteria of assessment.

§All
degree programmes are designed for full-time or part-time delivery.
Full-time students can complete their programmes in three years if they are
not eligible for exemption. The academic year is organised over two
fifteen-week semesters.

§The
units of learning are arranged in modules of 15-credit value and a full-time
schedule allows students to study four modules per semester.

§Every
programme includes core, compulsory modules and options.

§Options
are determined by the student in consultation with their tutor and allow
students to construct programmes unique to the students needs. The
appropriate course-unit credit is awarded for the successful achievement of
the learning outcomes for the unit.

§Students
must satisfy all course scheme requirements at every level to allow them to
graduate with their designated degree title.

Core
Choice

Integrated
Livestock Production*

or

Combinable
and Root Crops*

Options
Semester 5

Farm
Diversification

Development
of Rural Buildings

Supply
Chain Management

Postharvest
Physiology

Options
Semester 6

Alternative
Crops

Rural
Development Policy & Politics

Alternative
Livestock

Food
Technology

BSc
Agriculture

(300 credits at least 60 at level 3)

Outcomes developed/ assessed:

A1-8 B1-6

C1-7 D1-7

▲

Year 2/

credit level 2

Compulsory
Core Units

Business Management

Core
Choice

Farm
Livestock Production*

or

Combinable
and Root Crops*

Options
Semester 3

Farm
Livestock Production*

Combinable
and Root Crops*

Soil,
Irrigation and Drainage

Energy
and Waste Management ,

Product
Development & Packaging,

Career
Development

Languages

Or
other appropriate module choice as agreed by the Course Manager

Options
Semester 4

Agricultural
Tractor and Machine Applications

Fruit
and Vegetable Crop Production

Advertising
Sales & Promotion

Grass
and Forage, Science and Production

Organic
Crop Production

Or
other appropriate module choice as agreed by the Course Manager

Progression
requirements

Minimum of 180 credits

Outcomes developed/ assessed:

Will depend on mix of level 2 and level 3 modules

▲

Optional Year (not a
credit level) - Work /experience module to be arranged on a College wide
basis.

▲

Year 1/

credit level 1

Compulsory
Core Units

Learning
Methods

Biological
Processes

Countryside
in Britain

Crops
and Animal Husbandry 1 & 2*

Introduction
to Management

Agricultural
Science

Agricultural
Machinery

Options

Progression
requirements

12 Support for students and their
learning:

Induction programme for new students

Student handbooks and module guides

Teaching programme based at one site

Broad range of library and IT facilities with extended access
for students

All students have an identified personal tutor to advise on pastoral and academic
matters

Free individual email facilities for students and access to
the World Wide Web